Habitat for Humanity building on plan to construct 150 homes in Canada
Habitat for Humanity Canada’s biggest build to date, backed by a former U.S. president and first lady, will help provide new beginnings for 12 Calgary families.
As a nod to the country’s 150th anniversary, Habitat affiliates across Canada aim to construct 150 homes this year.
This is also the 34th Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter Work Project. Since 1984, the couple has travelled to different ends of the world to help build homes through Habitat. While their project ties to the entire 150 homes, the Carters’ hands-on effort was with builds in Edmonton and Winnipeg this year.
Helping tally 150, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta brought on two fourplexes in Pineridge and another fourplex in Bowness. The completed homes in Pineridge were celebrated during a home dedication event in the northeast Calgary neighbourhood earlier in July, and possessions will start in August.
The Bowness fourplex is currently being framed and expected to be ready for the end of this year.
“At Habitat for Humanity, we know first-hand that many families are facing significant challenges breaking into the housing market,” says Gerrad Oishi, Habitat for Humanity Southern Alberta president and CEO. “But when families feel safe and secure in a home they can call their own, everyone benefits. We’re so grateful for our community’s support in creating a sustainable affordable housing solution for families.”
Homes are purchased through Habitat for Humanity with no down payment, no-interest mortgages and monthly mortgage payments are a maximum of 25 per cent of the buyer’s monthly income. Monthly mortgage payments are then reinvested into the home ownership program to help with future builds.
“The families are so proud because they know the mortgage payments that they make, Habitat is going to use those funds to build more homes,” says Oishi. “So all the homes we build here are not just an investment in a family, but it’s an investment in our community to build more and more affordable housing.”
Claude Toge, his wife and their four children are among the eight families moving to Pineridge.
“Those who are donors, it’s not only that you give us an opportunity to have a new place to call home, but it’s a smile that you put in the hearts of those children and that family in need,” says Toge, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The family was in a rental that was “very expensive,” and has insufficient space.
“We struggled to come up with the money to put down to own a house,” says Toge. “The conditions of the rental were poor ... and the rent money was quite high.”
In many ways, their new place was a welcome upgrade, including three bedrooms on the second floor and a fourth in the basement.
“It’s brand new,” says Toge. “I’m excited.
This project was supported by funding from the provincial government, and donations through Excel Homes, CREB Charitable Foundation, the Interfaith Build Project, First Calgary Financial, Rotary Club of Calgary West, the Nickle Family Foundation and Fluor, along with philanthropist Sam Switzer and family.